Running to You (LOTR- Legolas and O/C)

Ch.16 Treebeard and the White Rider (Part II)

    (Ari's POV)

  "Never did I imagine I'd be walking through Fangorn Forest..." I muttered in wonderment as I walked behind my brother. "Only ever did I hear tales."

    "The air is so close in here... let's get out of this forsaken place!" Gimli complained from behind us. I turned my head back to see him gripping his axe like it was as precious as gold. I laughed and shook my head.

    "This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory and anger," Legolas spoke. As he did so the trees groaned and creaked. I smile and look upwards through the branches of the trees we walked under. "The trees are speaking to each other."

    "It is quite alright, master Dwarf. Do not be afraid. Lower your axe." I coaxed the dwarf into relaxing some, his death grip around his axe faltering some.

    "The trees have feelings, my friend," Legolas spoke as he came to walk by my side. His footsteps are so light that I didn't hear him coming. I looked at him just as he glances down at me. We both smile at each other for a moment then he continues on. "The Elves began it. Waking up the trees, teaching them to speak."

    "Talking trees. What do trees have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings?"

     "No, Gimli, they do not speak about squirrel droppings. They do, however, speak about loud dwarves and wonder how tasty they'd be," I teased, smirking back at the dwarf who looked at me incredulously. I giggled at the poor dwarf.

    "Nad no ennas (something's out there)," warns Legolas, his footsteps slowing. Aragorn and I exchange an uneasy glance.

    "Man cenich (what do you see)?"

    "The White Wizard approaches," says Legolas in a hushed tone. I stand behind him with a hand on the hilt of my sword, the other gripping Legolas's tunic. Legolas reaches back and holds my wrist, giving it a light squeeze before letting go. The small reassurance made me smile for just a moment.

"We cannot let him speak, he will put a spell on us," Aragorn says as he draws his sword. "We must be quick."

   As we prepared ourselves, each of us wielding our weapons ready for a fight, a bright white light emanates from a figure approaching us. Our weapons are knocked out of our hands and onto the ground. I shield my eyes from the light, the brightness burning into me.

  "You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits," says the figure.

   Aragorn steps forth with his hand raised to cover his eyes. "Where are they?"

    "They passed this way, day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"

   I snort a little in an attempt to stifle a laugh. "Until they are in our company, no, it does not comfort us. Who are you? Show yourself!"

   Slowly the light fades and the figure standing before us was not who we thought it was, or expecting.

   "It cannot be..." I could hear my brother whisper in amazement.

    "Forgive me!" Legolas began as he and Gimli bow before him. "I mistook you for Saruman."

   Gandalf smiles warmly at the elf. "I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been."   

    I stare at the wizard in disbelief. How did he survive a fall at such a height? More importantly, how did he survive a battle with a Balrog? A demon of such power and strength? "But... you fell!"

   "Indeed, Miss Arellia, I did. Through fire, and water. On the lowest dungeon, on the highest peak I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time. The stars field of end, and everyday was as long as a life age on the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is complete."

   "Gandalf.." my brother and I said in unison, the two of us looking at each other with silent understanding. This is the turning point for us. This was our key to defeating the enemy.

   The five of us moved through Fangorn Forest, nearing the tree line. The forest was silent with exception for the breeze that rustled the leaves.

   "One stage of your journey is over," Gandalf spoke from the head of the line. "Another begins now. War has come to Rohan, we must ride to Edoras with all speed."

   Gimli scoffs and looks behind him to myself and Aragorn. "Edoras? That is no short distance!"

"We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king." Aragorn had left my side to walk alongside Gandalf. Gimli was still walking ahead of me, occasionally looking back to see if Legolas and I were still following. Legolas had trailed behind me a bit but once Aragorn had joined with Gandalf he came to walk by my side. His hand grazed mine ever so often, making me smile.

"Legolas if you wish to hold my hand, you do not need to ask my permission," I smirk, looking up at him as he looks down at me in surprise. His shock was quickly replaced by a smile and he took hold of my hand, our fingers intertwining together.

   We walked alongside each other in comfortable silence, listening to the rambling complaints of Gimli, the hushed whispers of Gandalf and Aragorn, the rusting of the leaves above us. After a while Legolas's pace slowed and he came to a stop, prompting me to do the same. I could see he was troubled by the look in his eyes. A scowl crossed my face as I reached a hand up to cup his cheek, making him look down at me.

  "Pedo, mel. Man mathach? (Speak, love. What troubles you?)"

  "Lerië lyenna naunuva nin ten sins aurë. Ná lá na lirë linyen? (Leaving you haunts me to this day. Was it worth losing you over?)"

A soft smile plays at my lips as I looked at him. "Legolas, you did what you had to do. And now that I understand why, I do not hold a grudge against you. There is still a lot to learn about what my purpose is so please, do not linger on what was. Look forward to what is, and what could be."

   "Lenden alassëa lúme yassen Elda (you've spent too much time with elves)", Legolas laughs. I smirk and pat his cheek.

   "Oh no this wisdom is all me, not because I've lived with elves most of my life."

                              —/—/—/—
    Some time had passed before we stopped to rest for the night. We were about a day's ride from Rohan. The night air was cool with the gentle blow of the eastern winds. Legolas and Aragorn spoke to each other on one side of the fire while I sat with Gandalf on the other side. Gimli was already fast asleep, his loud snoring interrupting  both conversations.

   I smiled and shook my head at the dwarf before returning my attention to the wizard. "Gandalf, how do you think Frodo and Sam are fairing?"

   The White Wizard gazed down at me for a moment with a conflicted glimmer in his eyes. He sighed heavily before he spoke. "I trust they are getting along fine. I worry for the little hobbits but, Frodo is a Baggins after all! They are a resilient bunch those ones are."

   I smile fondly at the comment. Hobbits are certainly a surprising race that is without a doubt.

    Our conversations soon began to dwindle along with the fire as the night continued on. My brother chose to keep watch first despite Legolas's insistence that he be the one to take watch instead. Reluctantly Legolas had settled beside me, his arm resting under my head to act as a pillow. The warmth that radiated from his body and the lull of his heart beat mixed with the soft blowing wind eased me to sleep almost instantly. It was the first time in days that I felt safe despite the circumstances.